I didn't want to act. Act like nothing was bothering me, could bring me down. Act chipper and what not. Be Tippy-toed for all anyone could friggin care.

Having an intrusion as the face of distant reminder into my already fragile mind was creating cracks on my bubble. This bubble needed to stay intact - for my sanity which was fragile like a window that just had a rock thrown at it. Not broken...not yet, just had a spiderweb of cracks running along. More hits from a rock, I might just shatter.

I really did not need that now. I had work to get too and I was couple minutes late after having slept in for the first time in a long time was not settling right in me. I felt edgy, uncomfortable, my foot tapping erratically on the bus, the person sitting next to me threw me an irritated frown.

"If I found you by complete accident blondie, then so could he."

So could he.

That's the part of the sentence that had me throw a knife from the kitchen in my bag and hold it too my chest and watch everyone that moved even an inch. It was good to know my sight was still as formidable as it used to be. I really didn't want to experience the rest of what I was capable of because that was all just a reminder of the past and who I was.

Reaching my spot, I bounded off the bus quickly, leaping out of the doors and sprinting down the streets and taking a breath once I pushed through the cafe doors. Thankfully it was quiet but Corinne looked up as I entered and she swept around the counter, arms folded across her shoulder, brow raised.

"Tanya Smith? Late? I've seen it all."

"Har har." I mutter, stepping past to the locker rooms and chucking my bag inside and stepping out to join Corinne. "Did Hailey check in-"

"Yeah, but you're here so it's fine and it's been dead anyway. Hailey wont care, Tanya, you're never late."

"It feels weird being late though."

"For you maybe miss perfectionist." Corinne laughed and turned to the register as a couple of people entered into the café. "Would you mind-"

"I got the dishes."

I finished work earlier than Corinne who waved me off with a reminder of the girls going out tomorrow night and joining at a bar should I decide to join them.

With the current problem in my fragile state I was completely keen but despite trying not to be too close to Corinne it was severely hard not to be friends. She was a force to reckoned with and it's been far too long since I had a close friend. A friend who was a partner in crime and understood me and joined in pranks, silly jokes, told stories amongst camp fires...That friend died.I stood outside the street when my eyes fell on the shop across the street and I was hurrying across the street before I fully processed my thoughts and entered the bookshop with a quiet ding above my head. Books were a distraction and I didn't feel like going to an empty apartment where the paper and news would add more cracks on the window.The librarian threw me a friendly smile and went back to putting books on the shelves while I busied myself in the academic sections, finding books on sciences, history and math's. A seriously boring but good distraction and my heart which was doing that dun-dun dun-dun, copying the Jaw's hunting theme.Taking a book on ancient history on the pile I would add too slowly tonight, followed by a couple books in the do it yourself section and game books. Besides, T.V. wasn't always good for you. Books were good. Books were safe.So lost in distraction, I almost didn't hear the bell to the bookshop open with a slight ding and someone shuffling through the shelves on the other side. I could hear whoever it was moving books around and while I was tense, on edge, the logical part of me was gently laying down I was in a public space that was well occupied by other people. I was safe.Taking that into factor, silently repeating the words, I resumed my book browsing, moving down the shelves until I reached the end-"If you're looking for stuff about history, maybe for fun watch a couple films."Heart attack! I was- Sweet baby bird! I clutched my heart as I finally caught my breath and had lowered my arm holding the book as a weapon ready to shrink whoever they were too half their height.And there goes the bubble.He smirked a wicked grin down at me and held up a book in his hand."But if you like to read Blondie, this ones a decent read. And I'm not much a reader myself but its good enough for me." He shrugs, crossing his arms across his chest, his black sweater pulling tautly across his broad chest, as he casually leant against the shelf in front of me. "You seemed at peace, so I figure this gives some-"Are you following me?" I snap, glowering up at him and his lips twitch. "I don't know you-""Are we really going to do this? Really, Tink-""Don't-""Don't call you Tink. Then what do I call you without you freaking out at me?""I'm not freaking out." He gave me a bland look brow raised mockingly and I glower at him. "If I was, it's not your business. I don't...""Let me be clear here, Tink. I'm not in the mood for playing your fantasy here or whatever is going on." He glances over his shoulder for any eavesdroppers before turning back to me, his smirk gone completely and his face now that cold arrogant mask. "Quite frankly, the last few days have been a shit storm and I don't know about your situation between that brat and yourself, but like I said two days ago, there are bigger things to worry about."I clutch the book tightly to my chest, trying to keep my glare formidable but his words rang an alarm and warning over and over. There was serious issues and I was trying desperately to avoid it all."Blondie, I-""'Scuse me." Someone strode past us and while he was momentarily distracted, I pushed past him, dropping the book on the cabinets and hurrying out the door. Why, oh why did I have to want to look at books today? God, could you let all of this, everything going on being a really shitty dream? Please, for my sake and everyone else's the world would be better off that way."Jesus Christ, Blondie, you're still shifty as I remember."Curses."You were always a sneaky opponent, just like Peter but being small had its positives-""Stop!" The word leaves me before I realize and my feet have stopped moving before I processed it. I almost stumble over my foot as I whirl around to face him. Realizing how close he had been behind me, I stepped back quickly, grateful there were some people around at least. "Just, stop please. There is no..."Oh why bother anymore.He glares down at me, arms crossed as he towers over me but not intentionally. He was always just a formidable looking human who was clever in the ways of intimidation."You seen the papers, or anything Blondie. You want to let it continue?""It's not...It can't be him-""Why not? Why could it not be him-""Because he gets nothing from it! Okay, and no, it just can't! It can't be! So please, I don't want any part in this. Please, Hook. Please, just enough."Dammit. The dam is burst.Hook was expecting to hear his name and faltered slightly, but a dark expression crossed his face and he dropped his arms, leaning in slightly as his eyes softened slightly."Listen, Blondie. And listen good. You like to see the good in him, I get that. He did have that. Long ago now." I glance away, unable to stare into the eyes casually breaking my bubble. "But he's not that anymore. Far from it. And kids are dying. I don't know why and I presume you don't either but I can't do this without you."What?"What?" I stammer, my spin tensing as I stepped back trembling. "N-No, I can't-""I don't know what happened between you and him to bring you to this state, Blondie and I'm sorry. But your friend, he's a villain and he needs to be stopped.""I can't face him. I-"
"You're friend at the café has a kid, doesn't she?"My blood runs cold, and the tremors stop as a cold blaze of fury runs through me and I meet his gaze with fire."How-""I heard her talking about her son when I was there once. What do you think will happen if Peter finds you?""No. Nothing like that-""He will take whoever is close to you until he gets you! Do you not get that?""No, no, no." I shake my head over and over, trying to rid the thoughts running rampant through my mind. Corinne and her adorably sweet seven year old son, Daniel and her husband. Gone. The loss of her son, will destroy Cori.I was sightless, numb, unfocused and unsure and Hook sighed heavily above me."Just-""I don't trust you." I pull away from his arm as he lays a hand on my shoulder, stepping back as I glower at him. "How do I know you're not behind this? You're our enemy! We've been at war for years-""Believe me when I say I'm still not fond of you, Blondie. Far from it." His voice dark and arrogant as he smirks cruelly at me. "But my war was never with you technically. It was with Peter. And believe me when I say I don't trust you completely either but...I can't say I'm blind." His face turns wary as his hazel eyes sweep over me and he sighs despondently. "My war is now finding him and ending this once and for all. I have no part in this except hunting him down to stop this.""I don't care if you trust me or not. I need you around like he always did. But what I do need is your help to find him-""I don't know where he is. I've not seen, heard, spoken to him or...any of them for close to thirty years." The frustration is clear on his face and the guilt hits me hard. "I couldn't help you even if I wanted to. Sorry. I got to go now-""Alright." Hook releases a breath but steps forward and reaching for my shirt pocket on my breast, he hooks a finger over it, and slips a white card in before releasing, giving me a strange smirk that had my cheeks reddening and my heart stutter. I smack his hand away, scowling heavily. "That's my card, Blondie. My number and address on it along with my work number. We don't have to be on the same page completely but I have no intention of harming you or breaking you like Peter did. All I want is him and to end this. After that, I will never bother you again. But if you're in trouble or change your mind, you know how to.""I won't use it.""Don't hold your breath, Tink." He smirks at me and turns around, walking into the crowd with a final wave. "I look forward to your call." He melts into the crowd as I stand there frozen and clutching my pocket with the card in it.Bastard.